'What's on your mind, Hope?'
Seeing her best friend spaced out for the past two days, Artoria asked out of concern. Research on Pym Particles and the quantum realm should have yielded results faster than Extremis, yet Hope still couldn't make it work. After turning who-knows-how-many lab mice into pulp, the frustrated woman finally began to question herself.
'Nothing, Artoria. I'm just wondering if I really did something wrong, or if—like Dad said—this just isn't for me.'
At Artoria's question, Hope set down the pen she'd been gripping. The string of failures had nearly shattered her confidence; she felt too ashamed to face her best friend. She'd once boasted she'd outdo her father, yet after all this time she was still stuck on his notes, producing nothing of her own—utterly embarrassing.
'Hah! You're giving up over this? That's not the Hope I know.'
Knowing Hope's temperament, Artoria didn't plan to comfort her with a tender bath and bedtime 'deep talk'; she went straight for the jab. This was no time for melodrama—get back to work, future Wasp.
'…Fine. I should've known you'd be awful at comforting anyone. Under that Angel skin beats a tiny demon heart.'
Both were sharp; a few words sufficed. Hope's gloom vented away, and she laughed, pinching Artoria's cheek.
'Takes one to know one. Keep fooling around and I'll smack you dead.'
Artoria rolled her eyes, unmoved by the tease, while Hope's mischievous hand crept toward the most dangerous spot on her head. Artoria leaned back, dodging; instinct warned her that touching that ahoge would bring serious, terrifying consequences.
'Artoria, you're gorgeous and built like a goddess—why no boyfriend?'
Her hand swatted empty air, so Hope needled the singleton. She herself had at least dated before; unlike Artoria, who'd never even touched a man. Last time Hope had joked that Artoria was a lesbian—just for fun—but now she really wanted to know.
'Oh~? You're that curious?'
She had just remembered how this woman had spread quite a few rumors about her, and Artoria felt a twinge of disgust; the corner of her mouth curled into a faint, meaningful smile as she looked down at Hope.
"I... I'm a little curious."
The two were now very close. Artoria shifted her posture, and Hope felt the pressure—and a trace of something strange inside. Hope's heart suddenly raced. The face before her, usually overlooked, was unexpectedly attractive: the delicate nose, the pink lips beneath it, so inviting.
"Actually—"
Artoria heard the tremor in Hope's voice, and her smile widened. A wicked, alluring grin appeared on her face. She no longer looked like a holy goddess, but a succubus luring mortals. Hope flushed and backed away; Artoria advanced step by step.
"Oh no."
Hope's back met a cold, hard wall. Artoria's arms blocked every escape.
"I really do like girls."
Artoria leaned close, whispered into Hope's ear. Warm breath reddened Hope's ear. Hope's heart pounded, yet a strange anticipation rose: she actually wanted something to happen.
She closed her eyes and waited. Nothing. When she opened them, she was alone. Embarrassed, she kicked a chair aside.
"Artoria, you absolute idiot!"
Her shout shook the office. The woman who had already slipped away was laughing, unaware her best friend truly felt something for her.
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